How do binary clusters form? Article Swipe
YOU?
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· 2017
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx1719
· OA: W2734846955
Approximately 10 per cent of star clusters are found in pairs, known as\nbinary clusters. We propose a mechanism for binary cluster formation; we use\nN-body simulations to show that velocity substructure in a single (even fairly\nsmooth) region can cause binary clusters to form. This process is highly\nstochastic and it is not obvious from a region's initial conditions whether a\nbinary will form and, if it does, which stars will end up in which cluster. We\nfind the probability that a region will divide is mainly determined by its\nvirial ratio, and a virial ratio above 'equilibrium' is generally necessary for\nbinary formation. We also find that the mass ratio of the two clusters is\nstrongly influenced by the initial degree of spatial substructure in the\nregion.\n
